House of Lords: Reception forPresident Chirac

Lord Trefgarne: asked the Leader of the House:
	What were the criteria by which Members of the House of Lords were selected to attend the reception for President Chirac in the Robing Room on 18 November.

Baroness Amos: I understand that the Members of the House of Lords were selected on the same principles as the Members of the House of Commons. Priority was given to those who participated in the joint seminar of British and French parliamentarians earlier that day, to the Lords members of the various Franco-British all-party and friendship groups, and to members of the House Committee and chairs of relevant Select Committees. The size of the Robing Room and the need to accommodate a large presidential entourage limited the numbers invited.

Defra: Externally Provided Professional Services

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will provide a breakdown of the £45 million spent by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on externally provided professional services during the year 2003–04.

Lord Whitty: As part of its preparations for and implementation of the Gershon value for money agenda in Defra, Pareto or expenditure distribution analysis of departmental expenditure on professional services is now being undertaken, and will be made available publicly in due course.

Defra: Externally Provided Professional Services

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	What proportion of the £45 million spent by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs on externally provided professional services during the year 2003–04 is attributable to expenditure on private sector consultancy.

Lord Whitty: Expenditure on private sector consultancy is part of the department's expenditure on professional services. As part of its preparations for and implementation of the Gershon value for money agenda in Defra, Pareto or expenditure distribution analysis of departmental expenditure on professional services is being undertaken now. The analysis will define expenditure on private sector consultancy as a proportion of departmental expenditure on professional services.

Defra: Externally Provided Professional Services

Baroness Byford: asked Her Majesty's Government:
	Whether they will give an estimate of the proportion of the annual Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs budget which was spent on external and private sector consultancies during the year 2003–04.

Lord Whitty: Expenditure on external and private sector consultancies is part of the department's expenditure on professional services. As part of its preparations for and implementation of the Gershon value for money agenda in Defra, Pareto or expenditure distribution analysis of departmental expenditure on professional services is now being undertaken currently. The analysis will define expenditure on external and private sector consultancies.